5 injured in Moga poll clash; Cong leader arrested

Workers of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress pelted stones at each other and used wooden sticks during a scuffle following a dispute on a vote at Sangatpura village under Baghapurana subdivision, 33 km from Moga, leaving five people injured on Wednesday.

Workers of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress pelted stones at each other and used wooden sticks during a scuffle following a dispute on a vote at Sangatpura village under Baghapurana subdivision, 33 km from Moga, leaving five people injured on Wednesday. Senior Congress leader Dilbagh Singh Bhau was reportedly arrested after registration of a criminal case against him.

The injured had been identified as Congress leader Dilbagh Singh Bhau, Jaswinder Singh, son of SGPC member Gurmail Singh, panchayat member Jagsir Singh and Akali leader Karnail Singh and Congress worker Harpreet Singh, all residents of Sangatpura.

Police officials said that four of the injured were rushed to Baghapurana hospital, where doctors referred Jaswinder Singh and Jagsir Singh to Dr Mathura Dass civil hospital, Moga, while others were discharged after first aid.

"I asked the police to maintain law and order but the police failed to do their duty properly. Akali workers tried to enter the booth for casting a bogus vote of an elderly man. While Congress workers objected to it, the Akali workers attacked our workers but the police arrested only Congress leader Dilbagh Singh Bhau, who was also injured in the incident. The police did not provide medical aid also to Bhau," Brar said.

Brar said, "Only Congress workers have been booked in the case and no action has been taken against Akali workers."

Balwinder Singh, deputy superintendent of police, said, "The police have recorded the statement of some villagers and we are investigating the entire matter. However, a case has been registered against Dilbagh Singh Bhau, Roop Singh, Zora Singh, Ginda Singh and Tersem Singh all of Sangatpura, on the basis of the statement of Surinder Singh."